Measurement of the spin polarization of an optically pumped ensemble of He (23S) atoms

Abstract

A technique is described that enables simple, direct determination of the spin polarization of an optically pumped ensemble of He (23S) atoms. The polarization is obtained from measurements of the attenuation of the circularly polarized output of a color-center laser tuned to the 1.08 μm He (23S1→23P0) transition.

Spin Polarization Measurement of Metastable He 23S1 Atoms in He Discharge

“…2 3 P 0 transition (D 0 line). 2) On the other hand, Wallace et al demonstrated that P He à is obtained by similar measurements for three separate transitions of He à 2 3 S 1 to 2 3 P 0 (D 0 line), 2 3 P 1 (D 1 line), and 2 3 P 2 (D 2 line) (Fig. 1).…”

“…In this configuration, rhcp, lhcp, and linearly polarized (lp) probe beams can be absorbed only by He à with m J ¼ À1, þ1, and 0, respectively. Thus, the intensity I of the transmitted probe beam is 2) IðrhcpÞ ¼ I 0 ðrhcpÞ expðÀn À LÞ;…”